Chapter 93: The Guard's Breach, Zhen Zhai'er’s Consent

Outside the East City of Jinyang.

Zhen Zhai’er and Tang Zhenhao led several captains and more than ten shield-bearing cavalrymen to the outskirts near the city’s protective moat, where they saw Xiang Yifeng bound to a wooden frame.

At this moment, not only Tang Zhenhao and the captains and cavalry, but even Zhen Zhai’er himself was filled with shock.

Xiang Yifeng had truly been captured inside East City!

This also meant that the soldiers who ambushed Xiang Yifeng the previous night at the foot of the mountain were actually the garrison troops from within East City!

The thought that the city’s patrol soldiers could slip down to the mountain at night without being noticed unsettled Zhen Zhai’er deeply.

He had always been supremely confident in his defensive patrol arrangements.

Not only was it impossible to break through from Jinyang’s West City across the Fen River, but even when the Turkic nomads attempted it in Shanggu Commandery, or when the famed general Yang Yichen of the Sui launched a night raid, none could penetrate his night defenses.

Now, faced with the present situation, only two possibilities occurred to Zhen Zhai’er: either the soldiers responsible for the patrol had been bribed by East City, or one of the captains or commanders had leaked the defense plans.

Regardless of which was true, Zhen Zhai’er immediately resolved to replace all patrol personnel—soldiers and officers alike.

Thinking of the more rigorous patrol methods he had kept in reserve, Zhen Zhai’er felt a slight relief.

For the next deployment, only his trusted men would be appointed. There could be no second occurrence of bribery or internal betrayal.

As he pondered, Zhen Zhai’er sat astride his horse, gazing at the East City of Jinyang—a city that had once seemed insignificant to him, now evoking a complex mixture of emotions.

This simple East City lacked the natural defenses of West City, was devoid of influential clans or noble families, and its grain reserves paled in comparison to the West.

Yet, this city of mostly common folk had caused his hundred-thousand-strong army endless difficulties, yielding no advantage.

Not only was there no glory on his face now, but even if he took East City in the future, it would only bring disgrace.

The first battle had been a setback, with one general slain and another captured.

For a general commanding over a hundred thousand troops, what could be more infuriating?

Zhen Zhai’er’s expression darkened, but he turned to a trusted guard and instructed him.

A cavalryman nodded and rode swiftly toward the city moat.

Zhen Zhai’er, Tang Zhenhao, and the others remained on horseback, patiently waiting.

Sensing Zhen Zhai’er’s anger, Tang Zhenhao, who usually looked down on others, fell silent.

The other captains and soldiers sat quietly on horseback, watching East City.

Before long, figures on horseback slowly emerged from beneath the city gate.

“Move out!” Zhen Zhai’er commanded, leading his horse toward the moat.

Under the scorching sun, on the opposite bank of the moat, Fu Zihou led Yin Tianzong, Xing Ming, and Xiong Ruixiang, locking eyes with Zhen Zhai’er and Tang Zhenhao.

Bound to a stake under the sun, Xiang Yifeng looked toward Zhen Zhai’er across the moat, overwhelmed with shame.

Seeing Tang Zhenhao’s strange expression and gaze, he wished for death.

In his heart burned deep resentment, and his eyes turned toward the young man on horseback nearby.

Xiang Yifeng swore that once he returned to his army, he would stop at nothing to capture East City, personally torturing this East City captain to death, roasting his body and feasting on his flesh.

“The Sui Dynasty is lawless! Young sir, why do you persist? Surrender the city, and I promise you shall be made a general! Power, wealth, beauties, and fine horses shall be yours without effort!” Zhen Zhai’er said loudly as he urged Fu Zihou from his horse.

This was his second time seeing this youth, but now he clearly saw the boy’s countenance.

Such a young man, unafraid before a hundred-thousand-strong army, organizing even the common townsfolk to defend the city in good order.

Looking at the youth across the river, Zhen Zhai’er could not help but admire him.

“Since you claim the Sui is lawless, may I ask what of your so-called wealth is collected by taxes? What is taken selectively? Your ‘effortless gain’ is nothing but robbing the people’s property! Your ‘beauties’ are but forcibly taken from the people! Better to be a Sui soldier than a rebel general! I, Fu Zihou, cannot accept this banditry! You may call yourself a general among thieves, but you are not a general in the eyes of the people!” Fu Zihou replied with a hint of mockery, his voice ringing across the moat.

“You insolent whelp!”

“The day we break this city, I will see you torn to pieces!”

Before Zhen Zhai’er could respond, Tang Zhenhao and the other captains, enraged by Fu Zihou’s words, glared at him with murderous intent.

Their status as captains had long been their pride, and they were used to others flattering them.

Fu Zihou’s words tore apart the thin veil between court and rebel.

Not one captain could restrain his fury, and even Tang Zhenhao ground his teeth in hatred, eyes fixed on Fu Zihou.

The lofty sense of superiority once granted by their titles now lay trampled beneath Fu Zihou’s scorn.

The higher they had been praised, the deeper the humiliation.

“Seeing you so angry, I suppose you know you are thieves!” Fu Zihou laughed dismissively, then ignored the hostile gazes to look at Zhen Zhai’er.

“Enough talk! I propose to exchange this man for the families of the cavalry under Tu Ye, delivering them to Jinyang West City. If you agree, we shall trade lives when the time comes.”

Fu Zihou’s eyes shifted to the resentful Xiang Yifeng beside him as he stated his terms.

Both were commanders, and Fu Zihou was no fool; he did not expect Xiang Yifeng to demand the rebel army’s withdrawal or to stall time.

He understood well the toll a hundred-thousand-strong army imposed and wouldI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.